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Olmec: Colossal Masterworks of Ancient Mexico
A major exploration of one of the most important early artistic cultures of the ancient Americas
Considered the “mother culture” of Mesoamerica, the Olmec developed an iconic and sophisticated artistic style as early as the second millennium B.C. This pre-Columbian civilization, which flourished in the Mexican states of Veracruz and Tabasco between 1400 and 400 B.C., is best known for the creation of colossal stone portrait heads of its rulers. Some weighing up to 24 tons, the monumental heads are among ancient America’s most striking and beautiful masterpieces. In the fifteen years since the last major study of the Olmec, archaeologists have made significant finds at key sites in Mexico. This sweeping project brings together the most recent scholarship, along with a diverse selection of more than 100 monuments, sculptures, adornments, masks, and vessels, many of which have never traveled beyond Mexico’s borders, that paint a rich portrait of life in the most important Olmec centers, including San Lorenzo, La Venta, and Tres Zapotes. Particular attention is paid to the emergence of the culture, distinctive variations in the art of different city sites, and the chronology and reach of the society during its apex. Centering on the concept of discovery, this wide-ranging volume presents a fresh look at Olmec civilization, recapturing the excitement that greeted the unearthing of the first colossal stone head in 1862.
Published in association with the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Exhibition Los Angeles County Museum of Art (10/2/10–01/09/11) de Young Museum, San Francisco (02/19/11–05/08/11) National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City (07/01/11–10/31/11)
Considered the “mother culture” of Mesoamerica, the Olmec developed an iconic and sophisticated artistic style as early as the second millennium B.C. This pre-Columbian civilization, which flourished in the Mexican states of Veracruz and Tabasco between 1400 and 400 B.C., is best known for the creation of colossal stone portrait heads of its rulers. Some weighing up to 24 tons, the monumental heads are among ancient America’s most striking and beautiful masterpieces. In the fifteen years since the last major study of the Olmec, archaeologists have made significant finds at key sites in Mexico. This sweeping project brings together the most recent scholarship, along with a diverse selection of more than 100 monuments, sculptures, adornments, masks, and vessels, many of which have never traveled beyond Mexico’s borders, that paint a rich portrait of life in the most important Olmec centers, including San Lorenzo, La Venta, and Tres Zapotes. Particular attention is paid to the emergence of the culture, distinctive variations in the art of different city sites, and the chronology and reach of the society during its apex. Centering on the concept of discovery, this wide-ranging volume presents a fresh look at Olmec civilization, recapturing the excitement that greeted the unearthing of the first colossal stone head in 1862.
Published in association with the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Exhibition Los Angeles County Museum of Art (10/2/10–01/09/11) de Young Museum, San Francisco (02/19/11–05/08/11) National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City (07/01/11–10/31/11)
- GenresNonfictionHistory
272 pages, Hardcover
First published October 26, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
November 13, 2022
A good catalogue of a 2009-2010 show in California, organized by LACMA with many pieces loaned from Mexican and other American museums. It looks like it was an interesting show, and I expected to like the catalog more than I did. There are the obligatory plates of the colossal heads, which were the signature artifacts of that culture, and indeed they were HUGE. And some of the more portable artifacts are attractive too. But, on the whole, I turned out to be lukewarm on much of their artistic output. Which surprised me, as I'm ordinarily a fan of Mexican pre-Columbian art. If you happen to be a connoisseur of Olmec art, this will be required reading!
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July 31, 2011Great exhibit of large Olmec works. By far the best show I've ever seen at the DeYoung!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews